Image Credit: CFJC Today / Adam Donnelly

By Dylana Kneeshaw

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

City of Kamloops to apply for cost coverage of Summit-Downtown connection routes

Jan 26, 2021 | 5:26 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops council is moving toward the creation of a continuous route from the top of Summit Drive to the Lansdowne bus exchange.

The city is hoping to add two more components to the Xget’tem’ Trail that opened in 2018. With federal grant money, the City could expand a multi-use path to eventually connect Aberdeen to the downtown core through Sahali.

Councillor Kathy Sinclair says council has directed staff to apply for funding under the Canada Infrastructure grant program.

“It’s very rare that you get a chance to have 100 per cent funding where we’re not drawing on municipal taxpayers for the funding, so it’s definitely something that we are interested in looking at.”

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Pending application approval, Councillor Sadie Hunter notes the city would also be able to fast-track the multi-use transportation routes along Summit Drive and Sixth Avenue.

“This originally was slated for 2022, but if the grant application is successful, then work will start right away.”

The Sahali path is estimated at $2.5 million while the downtown portion would cost around $1.5 million. Both sections are part of an active transportation plan to build a streamlined route from Aberdeen to Bachelor Heights.

“The XGet’tem’ Trail which is through Peterson Creek — it’s a paved trail, it’s fantastic, it’s great except that it doesn’t really have a connection on either side,” explains Sinclair, “so this is part of the overall plan to build a cycling network connecting multi-use paths from one area of town to another.”

Council also approved an amendment to this plan which will have an accessible path built on the under-utilized lanes of Sixth Avenue instead of Fifth Avenue.

An example of what the adjustments on 6th Avenue would look like. (Image Credit: City of Kamloops)

“The goal is to encourage folks to feel more comfortable to get out and try cycling. Because it is an uncomfortable feeling to be riding with traffic,” says Hunter. “I mean, even if you’re a seasoned cyclist you’re not necessarily comfortable being in traffic, it’s just kind of where you end up because there’s nowhere else to go.”

The renovated roadways would provide safe options for pedestrians or cyclists, and have a ‘AAA’ designation — meaning all ages and abilities could use them.

“I think it’s really a win for people who drive as well,” notes Sinclair, “because when I’m driving passing a cyclist always makes me a little bit nervous, and having dedicated lanes just for people who bike and people who walk and people who roll can definitely help with comfort levels for everybody.”

Should the grant application be approved, the streets of Kamloops could have these upgrades completed by the end of 2021.